Comparison of lipid profile and antioxidant enzymes among south Indian men consuming coconut oil and sunflower oil.

In this study, we compared the lipid profile and antioxidant enzymes of normal and diabetic subjects consuming two different types of oil as cooking medium. 70 normal, healthy subjects were taken as controls and 70 subjects with Type 2 diabetes were recruited in patient group. Each group was further subdivided into two subgroups of 35 subjects each, consuming coconut oil and sunflower oil respectively as cooking medium. Samples of blood were collected and analyzed for serum total cholesterol, triacylglycerols, and cholesterol in lipoprotein fractions. Total glutathione and glutathione peroxidase were measured in erythrocytes and superoxide dismutase in serum. Triacylglycerols, LDL and VLDL cholesterol levels were high in the diabetic subjects compared to the controls. Total glutathione and glutathione peroxidase values showed significant decrease in diabetic subjects as compared to the controls, while superoxide dismutase values showed significant difference between coconut oil consuming groups. Though lipid profile parameters and oxidative stress were high in Type 2 diabetic subjects compared to controls, no pronounced changes for these parameters were observed between the subgroups (coconut oil vs. sunflower oil).

Efficacy of garlic paste in oral candidiasis.

In a randomized trial of 56 patients, topical application of garlic paste for 14 days was found to be as effective as that of clotrimazole solution in suppressing clinical signs of oral candidiasis. The results of this preliminary study explore the possible role of garlic paste in the treatment of oral candidiasis.

Comparison of the immunogenicity and safety of two different brands of Salmonella typhi Vi capsular polysaccharide vaccine.

BACKGROUND: The recent emergence of multi-drug-resistant Salmonella strains highlights the need for better preventive measures, including vaccination. Safe and immunologic vaccines have been developed based on purified Vi polysaccharide. OBJECTIVE: To compare the immune response elicited by two different brands of Salmonella Vi capsular polysaccharide vaccine (ViCPS). SETTING AND DESIGN: Double blind, randomized (3:1), controlled, parallel, phase III study was conducted at two centres in India to compare the safety and immunogenicity of Typbar, the investigational vaccine with an already marketed vaccine "X", in healthy subjects aged between 12 -25 years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A sample size of 184 subjects was calculated. Subjects were randomly distributed in two groups, immunized with single dose of Typbar or Vaccine "X". Serum samples were taken before 7 days and 4 weeks after immunization for the determination of antibodies to Vi polysaccharide, by ELISA method. Safety was assessed by physical examination, laboratory parameters before and after vaccination and by monitoring adverse events. STATISTICS: The geometric mean antibody titre (GMT) 4 weeks after vaccination was compared from respective pre-vaccination values by Wilcoxon signed rank test. Geometric mean of antibody levels before and after immunization and the ratio between them (Mann-Whitney test), the Seroconversion rates (Z test of proportions) and the adverse events (Fisher's exact test and Chi square test), were compared between two groups. P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. P values and 95% confidence intervals were estimated in two-tailed fashion. RESULTS: 153 subjects (Typbar =116 and Vaccine "X" =37) were studied. 71.6% (95% CI=63.4%-79.8%) and 75.7% (95% CI=64.9% - 89.5%) were the seroconversion rates with Typbar and vaccine "X" respectively. The GMT values for Vi antibodies induced after Typbar and vaccine "X" were 10.23 Typbar and 13.46 mg/mL respectively and these values showed high significance when compared to their respective pre-immunization GMT values (P<0.0001) at 95% CI (-10.49 to -7.19 mg/mL for Typbar and -14.69 to -8.86 mg/mL for Vaccine "X"). The induction of antibody response appeared to be slightly stronger (P=0.032) with vaccine "X" when compared to that of Typbar. This is justifiable as the same group also had high pre-immunization GMT values (P=0.021). CONCLUSION: The immunogenicity and safety of the investigational vaccine Typbar was found to be similar to that of already marketed brand of Vi CPS, Vaccine "X". The availability of a single dose of vaccine that is safe and effective enhances the prospective for control of typhoid fever.

Determining the prevalence of intestinal parasites in three Orang Asli (Aborigines) communities in Perak, Malaysia.

This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites among children and adult Orang Aslis (Aborigines) from different locations in Perak. Faecal samples were collected and analyzed using the direct smear and formal ether sedimentation technique. Some of the faecal samples were stained using the Modified Acid fast stain for Cryptosporidium. Nail clippings of the respondents and the soil around their habitat were also analyzed. Of the 77 stool samples examined, 39 (50.6%) were positive for at least one intestinal parasite. The most common parasite detected was Trichuris trichiura (39.0%) followed by Ascaris lumbricoides (26.9%), Entamoeba coli (5.2%), Giardia lamblia (5.2%), Blastocystis hominis (3.9%), hookworm (3.9%), Entamoeba histolytica (1.3%), Iodamoeba butschlii (1.3%) and Cryptosporidium sp. (1.3%) respectively. Some respondents had single parasites (24.7%), some with two parasites (18.2%). Some with three parasites (6.5%) and one had four parasites species (1.3%). The parasites were slightly more common in females (54.7%) than males ((41.7%). The parasites were more common in the 13-20 year age group (90.9%) followed by 1-12 years (69.6%), 21-40 year age group (34.8%) and least in the 41-60 year age group (27.8%). Nail examinations of the respondents did not show any evidence of parasites. One had a mite, three had pollen grains and one had yeast cells isolated from the finger nails. Soil samples taken around their houses showed only one sample with a nematode ova and one with oocyst which was of a non human origin.

Inadequacy of present polyspecific anti snakevenom - a study from central Kerala.

OBJECTIVES: To study the cause for prolonged coagulation profile and death in properly treated hemotoxic snake envenomation and the bad prognostic indicators in snake envenomation. METHODS: This was a hospital based prospective analytical study. All snake bites with envenomation from 2006 through 2009 were clinically analysed at the time of admission. They were treated with standard treatment protocol. Snakes brought were preserved, identified and correlated with clinical details. RESULTS: Of the 73 envenomation patients registered, 66 (90.4%) were hemotoxic envenomation, in which 14 (19.2%) had late recovery and 11 (15.1%) expired mainly due to hemorrhagic complication. The incidence of late recovery and mortality is higher compared to other Indian studies. Ten snakes were brought during the period along with the victims. Three of them were identified as hump nosed pit vipers, of which two victims had late recovery and one expired. CONCLUSIONS: Hump nosed pit viper envenomation is not rare in Kerala and can cause death, unlike the earlier belief. Available anti snake venoms does not cover pit viper. So, antivenom for this snake is urgently required.

Effect of high fat diet without cholesterol supplementation on oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in New Zealand white rabbits.

AIM: Dietary fats may affect coronary artery disease risk by influencing factors other than serum cholesterol. The effect of diets containing coconut oil and sunflower oil without cholesterol supplementation on oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation were studied in male New Zealand White rabbits. METHODS: Animals assigned to four groups (control, cholesterol-fed, coconut oil-fed and sunflower oil-fed), given an isocaloric diet and studied for 6 months. The lipid profile, reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, vitamin C and lipid peroxidation were evaluated at the beginning of the study, at the third month and at the end of the study period. RESULTS: Serum lipid values did not show significant variation between animals fed coconut oil and sunflower oil, but total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL-cholesterol were significantly higher and HDL-cholesterol was reduced in cholesterol-fed animals. Lipid peroxidation was higher in cholesterol-fed and sunflower oil-fed rabbits compared to controls and coconut oil-fed rabbits. Though other parameters such as reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and ascorbate did not vary between the two oil-fed rabbit groups, cholesterol-fed rabbits showed severe oxidative stress. CONCLUSION: We conclude that in the absence of cholesterol supplementation, coconut oil intake up to 30% of daily energy supply did not cause hypercholesterolemia or oxidative stress in rabbits.

Prescription of Aspirin for adults with Diabetes.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the prescription of aspirin for primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disorders in diabetic patients, in the light of American Diabetes Association guidelines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective analysis, presence of any cardiovascular disease or cardiovascular disease risk factor as defined in American Diabetes Association guidelines and the use of aspirin and other medication data were extracted from the case files of 100 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus visiting two teaching hospitals. RESULTS: Of 100 patients studied, 58% were men and 42% women and all were >/= 40 years of age. 45% had at least one cardiovascular disease and all (100%) were on aspirin for secondary prevention; 45% had one or more risk factors, of which 11% (05/45) had aspirin prescribed for primary prevention; remaining 10% had neither risk factors nor cardiovascular disease (but age >/= 40 years) and no aspirin documentation. Reasons for not using aspirin/antiplatelet drug were not recorded. CONCLUSIONS: American Diabetes Association recommendations for aspirin use for secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases were strictly adhered to, in contrast to that for primary prevention. Under-prescription of aspirin could be attributed to the physicians' concern about the burden of poly-pharmacy and toxic effects of aspirin on long-term use. Extensive efforts are necessary to enhance aspirin use in this regard.